In general, there are two things that need to be considered when talking about the tipping point of cosmetic halalness. First, from the side of the material. It must be checked in detail through the laboratory whether the product contains unclean ingredients / nonhalal ingredients or not.
Ir. Muti Arintawati, M.Si., Deputy Director of LPPOM MUI, explained that cosmetics can be produced from a variety of ingredients, including plants, microbial products, animals, and humans. Let’s discuss them one by one.
Plants are one of the ingredients that are often used in cosmetics. Basically, plants are included in the list of non-critical ingredients (positive list). However, plants go through various processes to become a cosmetic product. The process requires other materials to be used to help the process succeed. So it must be ensured that the auxiliary material is free from unclean or non-halal materials.
The next ingredient that is also often used in cosmetics is sourced from animals. What is currently popular is collagen or placenta as an antiaging or anti-inflammatory.
“This has to be looked at properly. Collagen is an animal product that can come from animals that are kosher from cows or fish, or illegitimate animals such as pigs. This is if you only read from the ingredients in the package, it is not visible,” explained Muti.
(Also read: Getting to Know Collagen and Gelatin)
No less popular and high critical point of halalness is the placenta or ari-ari. According to the MUI Fatwa, the placenta can be used if it comes from a halal type of animal and only for external use. For example, a cow gives birth then the placenta of her baby is used.
However, what needs to be of special concern, when a cow dies while pregnant, then takes the placenta, the law becomes illegitimate. This is because the status of the animal is dead. The placenta of an illegitimate animal, such as a pig, should also not be used. Especially with the human placenta. Abroad, the human placenta can still be used as a cosmetic ingredient.
Fatty acid derivatives are also often used as flavorings or fragrances. This material can be of plant and animal origin. Many fatty acid derivatives are no longer fats, but have become a simple arrangement of new chemical compounds.
The second critical point of halalness is seen from the translucent side of the water. There are many cosmetics that are currently created waterproof (water resistant). This is to keep the cosmetics durable when used.
It is important for Muslims to pay attention to this. Do not let there be the use of cosmetics that make our limbs closed, unable to penetrate water. So that at the time of ablution, water does not hit the limbs. As a result, ablution became illegitimate.
One of the products that are often made water resistant is eyeliner. Of course, this is created in accordance with market demand, so as not to fade easily when sweating or even crying.
“It is precisely what has become critical because of the water-repellent product. Although the ingredients are all halal, it actually blocks ablution water. Now, it is feared that ablution will become invalid,” explained Muti.
Therefore, water-penetrating testing is one of the mandatory things to do during the halal certification process. LPPOM MUI currently has an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, including a water translucent test.
Of course this will be difficult if you only rely on the ingredients listed in the package. The easiest thing that can be done is to choose products with the MUI halal logo. Checking halal products can be done through the halalmui.org website and the HalalMUI application. (YN)
